Tubing anchor and catcher apparatus



Feb. 19, 1963 H. L. BIGELow TUBING ANCHOR AND CATCHER APPARATUS 3Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 18, 1961 A rraeA/E ys.

Feb. 19, 1963 H. BlGELow TUBING ANCHOR AND CAI'CHER APPARATUS 5Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 18, 1961 INVENTOR. Is/@segr l. B/GELOWrraeA/Eys. l

Feb. 19, 1963 H. L. BIGELOW TUBING ANCHOR AND CATCHER APPARATUS FiledSept. 18, 1961 INVENTOR HEeEe /GELOW Wega/MMM ,4free/Veys.

@aired tates Fatent 3,077,933 TUBING ANCHQR AND CATCHER APPARATUS AHerbert I.. Bigelow, Whittier, Calif., assigner to Either The presentinvention relates to subsurface well apparatus, and more particularly toapparatus capable of operating as a tubing anchor and catcher usedprimarily in pumping wells.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved tubing anchor andcatcher apparatus which will allow the tubing string to be maintained intension in the well casing, and which will also prevent the tubing fromdropping in the event of its parting, the apparatus having no lostmotion when set in the well casing, to prevent lost motion or movementof the tubing string to which it is secured.

Another object of the invention is to provide tubing anchor and catcherapparatus which is readily released from the well casing and retrievedtherefrom, and in which assurance is had that its slips will be shiftedfrom expanded to retracted position.

A further object of the invention is to provide tubing anchor andcatcher apparatus which is readily releasable and retrievable from thewell casing through a normal releasing procedure, and in which itsrelease and retrieval can still be obtained in the event the normalreleasing procedure is ineffective.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objectswhich may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of severalforms in which it may be embodied. Such forms are shown in the drawingsaccompanying and forming part of the present speciiication. These formswill now be described in detail for the purpose of illustrating thegeneral principles of the invention; but it is to be understood thatsuch detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, sincethe scope of the invention is best deiined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE l is a combined side elevational view and longitudinal section ofone form of tubing anchor and catcher apparatus, with its parts inretracted position and disposed within a well casing;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional View of the major portionof the apparatus illustrated in FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating the apparatus anchoredagainst the well casing;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 4 4 on FIG. l;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 5--5 on FIG. l;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section similar to FIGS. 2 and 3 illustratingthe apparatus released from the well casing when the normal releasingprocedure is ineiective;

FIG. 7 is a combined side elevational view and longitudinal section,with parts broken away, of another embodiment of the invention withportions in retracted position.

Tubing anchoring and catching apparatus A is illustrated in thedrawings, which are adapted to be lowered in a string of well casing Bon a tubular string C, such as a tubing string, extending to the top ofthe well bore and to be anchored in the well casing against movement inboth longitudinal directions. When desired, the apparatus A can bereleased from the well casing and withdrawn entirely therefrom. In theevent that normal releasing procedure is inetfective, the apparatus canstill be released from anchoring engagement with the well casing andwithdrawn therefrom.

As illustrated, the tubing anchor and catcher A includes a centraltubular body or mandrel 10 having an upper threaded pin 11 for threadedattachment to a coupling 12, which, in turn, is threadedly secured tothe lower portion of the tubing string C extending to the top of thewell bore. A suitable pump and sucker rod mechanism (not shown) may bedisposed in the tubing string C above the apparatus, or it may belocated in the tubing string below the apparatus. A lower pin end 13 ofthe tubular body 1li is threaded into a coupling 14, which, in turn, isthreadedly secured to a lower portion 15 of the tubing string C, whichmay contain the pump mechanism. When the pump mechanism is disposed inthe tubing string below the apparatus, the body 10 of the apparatuspreferably has a diameter suiicient to allow passage therethrough of thepump mechanism.

The apparatus is anchored in the well casing by means of slips 16 and anupper expander structure 17 and a lower expander structure 18 disposedon opposite sides thereof. A single set of circumferentially spacedslips 16 can be anchored against the wall of the well casing B toprevent movement of the apparatus A in both an upward and a downwarddirection. Each slip 16 has external wickers or teeth 19 adapted to -beembedded in the wall of the well casing, and also an upper inner taperedsur face 2t) which is inclined in a downward and inward direction and alower inner tapered surface 21 inclined in an upward and inwarddirection. The upper expander 17 has a frusto-conical tapered surface 22companion to the tapered surfaces Zii at the upper ends of the slips 16,in order to urge the slips laterally outwardly; whereas the lowerexpander 18 has a truste-conical tapered surface 23 companion to thetapered surfaces 21 on the lower portions of the slips 16 and adapted toexpand the slips laterally outwardly and to hold them in such Outwardposition.

Each slip 16 is disposed in an opening or window Z5 in a housing orouter tubular member 26 encompassing the body 10 of the tool and itsupper and lower expanders 17, 18. The width of each opening 25 conformsto the width of each slip 16, whereas the length of each opening isgreater than the length of each slip. The housing 26 is carried by thebody 10 of the tool through a swivel connection 27. Thus, a coupling ornut member 28 is threaded on the body itl of the tool and is securedthereto by a set screw 29. The upper portion of the housing has a lowershoulder Sil engaging the lower end of the coupling 2S to prevent upwardmovement of the housing 26 along the body 1u of the tool, downwardmovement of the housing relative to the body of the tool being preventedby a split snap ring 31 disposed within an internal groove 32 in thehousing 26 engaging an upper surface 33 of the nut or coupling ilange34.

The body 1t) of the tool is provided with an external upper right-handthread 35 and with an external lower left-hand thread 36. The upperportion 35a of the upper right-hand thread may be employed for securingthe coupling 28 and housing 26 to the body 10 of the tool. Theright-hand thread 35 engages a companion internal righthand thread 37 onthe upper expander 17, the upper expander initially occupying an upperposition on the body 1t? of the tool, determined by engagement of arotational stop pin 38 on the upper portion of the upper expander 17with a companion stop pin 39 secured to and depending from the coupling28.

The external left-hand thread 36 meshes with a companion internalleft-hand thread 40 on a lower sleeve t1 o-f the lower expanderstructure 1S, which is encompassed by the outer expander portion 42 ofthe structure 18 and which is secured thereto by one or a plurality ofshear pins d3 so that the outer expander lmember 42 and sleeve 41normally coact and func-tion as a lower expander member 13. Both theupper and lower expander members 17, 18 are spaced apart suciently to beout of operative engagement with the companion upper and lower taperedsurfaces 29, 21 on the slips l, which can occupy a retracted positionrelative to the body 10 of the tool A and its housing 25. Retraction ofthe slips 16 is insured by a plurality of helical tension springs 45extending between and secured to side wings 45 that project fromopposite sides of each slip, as disclosed most clearly in FIGS. l and 5.These springs 45 normally tend to pull the slips 16 inwardly to theirretracted position, but will stretch or expand to allow the upper andlower expanders 17, 18 to shift the slips 16 outwardly into anchoringengagement with the wall of the well casing B.

The slips 15 are expanded outwardly against the well casing by rotatingthe tubing string C and the body 10 to the left, while preventing theupper and lower expanders 17, 18, and the slips 16 themselves, fromrotating. To prevent rotation of the expanders and slips, outwardlybowed circumferentially spaced leaf springs 48 are provided, the upperends 49 of which are received within the upper portions of longitudinalgrooves G in the exterior of the housing, being secured to the housingby Ascrews 51 which extend inwardly into keys 52 within the housingdisposed in longitudinal keyways S3 in the upper expander 17. The lowerends 54 of the springs are free and are disposed in the lower portionsof the longitudinal grooves 50, being slidable along the base of thelatter. The intermediate portions of the springs 43 frictionally engagethe wall of the well casing B, for the purpose of resisting rotation ofthe housing 26. In view of the key and keyway connection 52, 53 of thehousing 26 with the upper expander 17, rotation of the latter is alsoresisted by the friction drag springs 48.

Rotation of the lower expander structure 18 is also resisted by a keyand keyway or slot connection. As disclosed, pins or screws 56 aresecured to the lower expander member 42, extending within longitudinalslots 57 in the housing 26. When the lower expander 18 is in its initialposition, in which the slip-s 16 are retracted, the pins or screws 56are located in the lower portions of the slots S7.

In the use of the apparatus, the upper expander 17 lis disposedinitially in its uppermost position illustrated in FlGS. 1 and 2, withthe rotational stop pins 33, 39 in engagement. The lower expanderstructure 18 is disposed in its lowermost position along the body 1t) ofthe tool. The apparatus A is connected to the tubing string C andlowered in the well casing B to the desired location therewith at whichthe tubing anchor and catcher is to be set. When such location isreached, the tubing string C and the body of the tool are rotated to theleft, as through use of hand tongs (not shown) at the top of the wellbore. The friction drag springs 48 prevent the housing 25, upper andlower expanders 17, 18 and slips 16 therebetween from turning, becauseof the resistance afforded by the springs 43 against the wall of thecasing B. However, the nut or coupling 2S can turn with the body 10since its connection with the upper portion of the housing 25 is aswivel one, in that the iange 34 of the coupling 28 can turn between thehousing shoulder 30 and the split snap or coupling ring 31. Rotation ofthe body 10 of the tool relative to the expanders 17, 1S will result inthe upper expander 17 threading relatively downwardly along the body 10,and the lower expander structure 18 threading relatively upwardly alongthe body of the tool, the upper and lower expanders engaging the upperand lower tapered surfaces 29, Z1 of the slips 16 and shifting thelatter radially outwardly through the housing openings 25 into er1-gagement with the wall of the well casing B.

After the slips 16 contact the casing, a strain may be placed on thetubing string C and left-hand torque applied thereto. Downweight is thenimposed on the tubing string C and left-hand torque maintained thereon.The alternate pulling of a strain and setting down of 'eight on thetubing string C insures that all play or lost motion has been removedfrom the apparatus A, so that the upper expander 17 is iirmly wedgedbehind the upper portion of the slips 16 and the lower expanderstructure 1S is rmly wedged behind the lower portion of the slips. Theproper amount of tension can then be taken on the tubing string C andmaintained to prevent elongation or breathing of the tubing stringduring reciprocation of the pump (not shown).

1n the event it is desired to release the anchor and catcher apparatus Afrom the well casing B, such action can be performed with the tubingstring C in tension, in compression, or in a neutral position. However,releasing with the tubing string C in compression (that is, downweightimposed thereon) is preferred since it allows further retraction of thelower expander device 18 and prevents the slips 16 from becoming dullwhen the tubing string C and the anchor A a-re moved upwardly in thewell casing B, to remove the apparatus therefrom. To effect release ofthe apparatus from the well casing, right-hand torque is imposed to thetubing string C, the latter being turned a sufficient number of turns,which, for example, may be about four to ve turns. The expanders 17, 1Sare prevented from rotating by virtue of the resistance offered by thefriction drag springs 48 against the wall of the well casing. Right-handrotation causes the upper expander 17 to move upwardly on the body l@ othe tool and the lower expander structure 18 to move downwardly on thebody of the tool, the upper and lower expanders being removed fromwedging engagement behind the slips 16, allowing the latter to retract.As the expanders 17, 13 are moved longitudinally relative to the slips,the tension springs 4S shift the slips 16 inwardly from the well casingB and back toward their initial retracted position. Following release ofthe slips 16, the tubing string C and the apparatus A can be elevated inthe well casing B and the apparatus removed entirely therefrom.

in the event that the normal releasing procedure just described does notresult in release of the slips 16 from the well casing, so that theapparatus can be removed, the shear pins 43 enable an emergency releaseprocedure to be followed. The apparatus is in anchored position, such asillustrated in PKG. 3. The tubing string C is pulled upwardlysufficiently, the upward strain being transferred from the tubing stringto the body 1d of the tool, and from the latter to the lower expandersleeve 41, passing through the shear pins 43 to the lower expandermember 42 and then to the slips 16 and into the well casing B. When thestrain exceeds the shear value of the pins 43 securing the outerexpander portion 42 to the inner expander sleeve 41, which is purposelyselected so as to be substantially greater than the normal tension to bemaintained on the tubing string with the pump in operation, the shearpins are disrupted or sheared, which will then allow the body 10' tomove upwardly, carrying the upper expander 17 upwardly of the slips 16and the lower sleeve i1 upwardly within the lower expander member 42.The removal of the upper expander 17 from its wedging position behindthe slips 16 eiects a release of the wedging force on the slips and alsoallows the lower expander member t2 to drop downwardly along the housing26, such as illustrated in FIG. 6, the springs 45 then pulling the slips16 laterally inwardly from the casing, or toward a releasing position.The tubing string C can now be elevated, to remove the anchor andcatcher apparatus A from the well casing B.

In the form of apparatus disclosed in FIG. 7, a. modification has beenmade in its lower expander portion 15a so as to enable a larger passageto be provided through the tubular body 10a in relation to the externaldiameter of the apparatus. As disclosed, the outer expander portion 42a,that has the upper taper 23 for coaction with the companion taperedsurfaces 21 on the slips 16 thereabove, has an inwardly directed portion69 provided with an internal left-hand thread 61, which is initiallydisposed above the ex-ternal left-hand threaded portion 36a of the bodyof the tool. As disclosed, the upper external righthand thread 35a onthe body of the tool and the lower external left-hand thread 36a on thebody of the tool are longitudinally spaced from each other to allow theslips to lie closely adjacent the intervening periphery 62 of the bodyof the tool, and also lto allow the threaded expander portion 60 to bedisposed contiguous such unthreaded periphery. The lower expanderportion has a counterbore 63 in which the upper portion 64 of thethreaded sleeve 41a is provided, the internal left-hand threads 49a onthis sleeve meshing with the external left-hand threads 36a on the bodyof the tool. The sleeve 41a has a lower enlarged diameter portion 65spaced initially downwardly from the lower end of the outer expanderportion 42a, the lower pins or keys 56 being secured to this enlargedportion and received within the longitudinal slots 57 in the housing.The shear pin or pins 43 extend between the threaded portion 64 of thesleeve 41a and the lower portion of the outer expander member 42a.

The upper portion 60 of the lower expander member 42a is threaded toenable the lower expander structure 18a to be assembled upon the body 10of the tool. Thus, the lower expander structure 18a, with the shear pins43 intact, can be placed over the lower end of the body a and theexpander threads 61 threaded along the lower body member threads 36auntil the threaded expander portion 60 is disposed above the threads36a, at which time the internal threads 40a of the sleeve 41a will be inproper threaded mesh with the left-hand threads 36a on the body 10a, asshown in IFIG. 7.

The apparatus disclosed in FIG. 7 is lowered in the well bore with theslips 16 in their retracted position, the upper expander 17 beingdisposed in its upper position, and the lower expander structure 18a inits lower position. When the location in the well casing B is reached atwhich the expander is to be set, the tubing string C and the body 10a ofthe tool are rotated to the left, in the same manner as in the otherform of the invention, to feed the upp-er and lower expander structures17, 18a toward each other, thereby causing the expanders to wedge behindthe slips 16 and shift them laterally outwardly into anchoringengagement with the wall of the well casing. IFull anchoring can occurand all lost motion between the parts eliminated in the same manner asin the other form of the invention.

In the event the lapparatus disclosed in FIG. 7 is to be released fromthe well casing, the tubing string C and body lila of the tool needmerely be turned to the right, which will eiect an upward feeding of theupper expander 17 and downward feeding of the lower expander structure18a along the body 10a, the expanders being shifted from wedgingengagement behind the slips 16 and allowing the tension springs 4S tothen pull the slips inwardly to their retracted position shown in FIG.7.

If the normal releasing procedure just described is inetective torelease the slips, a straight longitudinal pull can be taken on thetubing string C and body lita of the tool, which will shear the pins 43and allow the body 10a of the tool, upper expander 17 and lower sleeve41a to move upwardly relative to the slips 16 and lower expander 42a.,unwedging the upper expander from the slips and freeing them from thewell casing. The released apparatus can then be removed from the wellcasing B.

I claim:

1. In tubing anchor and catcher apparatus to be disposed in a conduitstring: a tubular body adapted to be connected to a tubing string andhaving a right-hand threaded portion and a left-hand threaded portion;upper and lower expander structures on said body, one of said expanderstructures having a right-hand threaded portion meshing with said bodyright-hand threaded portion and the other of said expander structureshaving a left-hand threaded portion meshing with said body left-handthreaded portion; slips between and engageable with said expanderstructures; means connected to said expander structures and engageablewith the well conduit to resist rotation of said expander structures,whereby rotation of said body threads said expander structures alongsaid body toward each other and behind said slips to expand said slipsagainst the well conduit to prevent movement of the apparatus in bothlongitudinal directions; and swivel means coupling said rotationresisting means to said body for longitudinal movement therewith.

2. In tubing anchor and catcher apparatus to be disposed in a conduitstring: a tubular body adapted to be connected to a tubing string andhaving a right-hand threaded portion and a left-hand threaded portion;upper and lower expander structures on said body, one of said expanderstructures having a right-hand threaded portion meshing with said bodyright-hand threaded portion and the other of said expander structureshaving a lefthand threaded portion meshing with said body left-handthreaded portion; slips between and engageable with said expanderstructures; means connected to said expander structures and engageablewith the well conduit to resist rotation of said expander structures,whereby rotation of said body threads said expander structures alongsaid body toward each other and behind said slips to expand said slipsagainst the well conduit to prevent movement of the apparatus in bothlongitudinal directions; tension spring means between and connected tosaid slips for urging Said slips toward a retracted position; and swivelmeans coupling said rotation resisting means to said body forlongitudinal movement therewith.

3. In tubing anchor and catcher apparatus to be disposed in a conduitstring: a tubular body adapted to be connected to a tubing string andhaving a right-hand threaded portion and a left-hand threaded portion;upper and lower expander structures on said body, one of said expanderstructures having a right-hand threaded portion meshing with said bodyright-hand threaded portion and the other of said expander structureshaving a lefthand threaded portion meshing with said body left-handthreaded portion; slips between and engageable with said expanderstructures; means connected to said expander structures and engageablewith the well conduit to resist rotation of said expander structures,whereby rotation of said body threads said expander structures alongsaid body toward each other and behind said slips to expand said slipsagainst the well conduit to prevent movement of the apparatus in bothlongitudinal directions; said lower expander structure comprising aninner portion threaded to said body and an outer portion engageable w1thsaid slips; and means releasably interconnecting said portions of saidlower expander structure, whereby release of said releasable meansallows non-rotational upward movement of said body and upper expanderstructure relative to said outer portion of said lower expanderstructure to permit retraction of said slips.

4. In tubing anchor and catcher apparatus to be disposed 1n a conduitstring: a tubular body adapted to be connected to a tubing string andhaving a right-hand threaded portion and a left-hand threaded portion;upper and lower expander structures on said body, one of said expanderstructures having a right-hand threaded portion meshing with said bodyright-hand threaded portion and the other of said expander structureshaving a lefthand threaded portion meshing with said body left-handthreaded portion; slips between and engageable with said expanderstructures; means connected to said expander structures and engageablewith the well conduit to resist rotation of said expander structures,whereby rotation of said body threads said expander structures alongsaid body toward each other and behind said slips to expand said slipsagainst the well conduit to prevent movement of the apparatus in bothlongitudinal directions; said lower expander structure comprisingr aninner portion threaded to said body and an outer portion engageable withsaid slips; and shear means releasably interconnecting said portions ofsaid lower expander structure, said shear means being disrupted whensubjected to sullieient force imposed through said body and innerportion of said lower expander structure to allow non-rotational upwardmovement ot said body and upper expander structure relative to saidouter portion of said lower expander structure to permit retraction ofsaid slips.

5. In tubing anchor and catcher apparatus to be disposed in a conduitstring: a tubular body adapted to be connected to a tubing string andhaving a right-hand threaded portion and a left-hand threaded portion;upper and lower expander structures on said body, one o'r' said expanderstructures having a right-hand threaded portion meshing with said bodyright-hand threaded portion and the other of said expander structureshaving a lefthand threaded portion meshing with said body left-handthreaded portion; slips between and engageable with said expanderstructures; means connected to said expander structures and engageablewith the well conduit to resist rotation of said expander structures,whereby rotation of said body threads said expander structures alongsaid body toward each other and behind said slips to expand said slipsagainst the well conduit to prevent movement of the apparatus in bothlongitudinal directions; said lower expander structure comprising aninner portion threaded to said body and an outer portion engageable withsaid slips; means releasably interconnecting said portions of said lowerexpander structure, whereby release of said releasable means allowsnon-rotational upward movement of said body and upper expander structurerelative to said outer portion of said lower expander structure topermit retraction of said slips; and tension spring means between andconnected to said slips for urging said slips from expanded to retractedposition.

6. In tubing anchor and catcher apparatus to be disposed in a conduitstring: a tubular body adapted to be connected to a tubing string andhaving a right-hand threaded portion and a left-hand threaded portion;upper and lower expander structures on said body, one of said expanderstructures having a right-hand threaded portion meshing with said bodyright-hand threaded portion and the other of said expander structureshaving a lefthand threaded portion meshing with said body left-handthreaded portion; slips between and engageable with said expanderstructures; means connected to said expander structures and engageablewith the well conduit to resist rotation of said expander structures,whereby rotation of said body threads said expander structures alongsaid body toward each other and behind said slips to expand said slipsagainst the well conduit to prevent movement of the apparatus in bothlongitudinal directions; said lower expander structure comprising aninner portion threaded to said body and an outer portion engageable withsaid slips; shear means releasably interconnecting said portions of saidlower expander structure, said shear means being disrupted whensubjected to sufficient force imposed through said body and innerportion of said lower expander structure to allow non-rotational upwardmovement of said body and upper expander structure relative to saidouter portion of Said lower expander structure to permit retraction ofsaid slips; and tension spring means between and connected to said slipsfor urging said slips toward their retracted position.

7. In tubing anchor and catcher apparatus to be disposed in a conduitstring: a tubular body adapted to be connected to a tubing string andhaving a right-hand threaded portion and a left-hand threaded portion;upper and lower expander structures on said body, one of said expanderstructures having a right-hand threaded portion meshing with said bodyright-hand threaded portion and the other .of said expander structureshaving a lefbhand threaded portion meshing with said body left-handthreaded portion; a housing surrounding said expander structures; meansproviding a swivel connection between said body and housing; slips insaid housing between and engageable with said expander structures; meansslidably keying said structures to said housing; and means on saidhousing engageable with the well conduit to resist rotation of saidhousing and structures, whereby rotation of said body threads saidexpander structures along said body toward each other and behind saidslips to expand said slips against the well casing.

8. In tubing anchor and catcher apparatus to be disposed in a conduitstring: a tubular body adapted to be connected to a tubing string andhaving a right-hand threaded portion and a left-hand threaded portion;upper and lower expander structures on said body, one of said expanderstructures having a right-hand threaded portion meshing with said bodyright-hand threaded portion and the other of said expander structureshaving a left-hand threaded portion meshing with said body left-handthreaded portion; a housing surrounding said expander structures; meansproviding a swivel connection between said body and housing; slips insaid housing between and engageable with said expander structures; meansslidably keying said structures to said housing; means on said housingengageable with the well conduit to resist rotation of said housing andstructures, whereby rotation of said body threads said expanderstructures along said body toward each other and behind said slips toexpand said slips against the well casing; and tension spring meansbetween and connected to said slips to urge said slips toward retractedposition.

9. In tubing anchor and catcher apparatus to be disposed in a conduitstring: a tubular body adapted to be connected to a tubing string andhaving a right-hand threaded portion and a left-hand threaded portion;upper and lower expander structures on said body, one of said expanderstructures having a right-hand threaded portion meshing with said bodyright-hand threaded portion and the other of said expander structureshaving a lett-hand threaded portion meshing with said body lefthandthreaded portion; a housing surrounding said expander structures; meansproviding a swivel connection between said body and housing; slips insaid housing between and engageable with said expander structures; meansslidably keying said structures to said housing; means on said housingengageable with the well conduit to resist rotation of said housing andstructures, whereby rotation of said body threads said expanderstructures along said body toward each other and behind said slips toexpand said slips against the well casing; said lower expander structurecomprising inner and outer portions; and means releasablyinterconnecting said inner and outer portions, whereby release of saidreleasable means allows non-rotational upward movement of said body andupper expander structure relative to said outer portion of said lowerexpander structure to permit retraction of said slips.

l0. ln tubing anchor and catcher apparatus to be disposed in a conduitstring: a tubular body adapted to be connected to a tubing string andhaving a right-hand threaded portion and a leftehand threaded portion;upper and lower expander structures on said body, one of said expanderstructures having a right-hand threaded portion meshing with said bodyright-hand threaded portion and the other of said expander structureshaving a left-hand threaded portion meshing with said body letthandthreaded portion; a housing surrounding said expander structures; meansproviding a swivel connection between said body and housing; slips insaid housing between and engageable with said expander structures; meansslidably keying said structures to said housing; means on said housingengageable with the well conduit to resist rotation of said housing andstructures, whereby rotation of said body threads said expanderstructures along said body toward each other and behind said slips toexpand said slips against the well casing; said lower expander structurecomprising inner and outer portions; and shear means releasablyinterconnecting said inner and outer portions of said lower expanderstructure, said shear means being disrupted when subjected to suicientforce imposed through said body and inner portion of said lower expanderstructure to allow non-rotational upward movement of said body and upperexpander structure relative to said outer portion of said lower expanderstructure to permit retraction of said slips.

11. In tubing anchor and catcher apparatus to be disposed in a conduitstring: a tubular body adapted to be connected to a tubing string andhaving a right-hand threaded portion and a left-hand threaded portion;upper and lower expander structures on said body, one of said expanderstructures having a right-hand threaded portion meshing with said bodyright-hand threaded portion and the other of said expander structureshaving a left-hand threaded portion meshing with said body left-handthreaded portion; a housing surrounding said expander structures; meansproviding a swivel connection between said body and housing; slips insaid housing between and engageable with said expander structures; meansslidably keying said structures to said housing; means on said housingengageable with the well conduit to resist rotation of said housing andstructures, whereby rotation of said body threads said expanderstructures along said body toward each other and behind said slips toexpand said slips against the well casing; said lower expander structurecomprising inner and outer portions; shear means releasablyinterconnecing said inner and outer portions of said lower expanderstructure, said shear means being disrupted when subjected to sucientforce imposed through said body and inner portion of said lower expanderstructure to allow non-rotational upward movement of said body and upperexpander structure relative to said outer portion of said lower expanderstructure to permit retraction of said slips; and tension spring meansbetween and connected to said slips to urge said slips toward retractedposition.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,756,827 Farrar July 3l, 1956 2,765,852 Brown Oct. 9, 1956 2,822,874Brown Feb. 1l, 1958

1. IN TUBING ANCHOR AND CATCHER APPARATUS TO BE DISPOSED IN A CONDUITSTRING: A TUBULAR BODY ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO A TUBING STRING ANDHAVING A RIGHT-HAND THREADED PORTION AND A LEFT-HAND THREADED PORTION;UPPER AND LOWER EXPANDER STRUCTURES ON SAID BODY, ONE OF SAID EXPANDERSTRUCTURES HAVING A RIGHT-HAND THREADED PORTION MESHING WITH SAID BODYRIGHT-HAND THREADED PORTION AND THE OTHER OF SAID EXPANDER STRUCTURESHAVING A LEFT-HAND THREADED PORTION MESHING WITH SAID BODY LEFT-HANDTHREADED PORTION; SLIPS BETWEEN AND ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID EXPANDERSTRUCTURES; MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID EXPANDER STRUCTURES AND ENGAGEABLEWITH THE WELL CONDUIT TO RESIST ROTATION OF SAID EXPANDER STRUCTURES,WHEREBY ROTATION OF SAID BODY THREADS SAID EXPANDER STRUCTURES ALONGSAID BODY TOWARD EACH OTHER AND BEHIND SAID SLIPS TO EXPAND SAID SLIPSAGAINST THE WELL CONDUIT TO PREVENT MOVEMENT OF THE APPARATUS IN BOTHLONGITUDINAL DIRECTIONS; AND SWIVEL